Energy

Heating our homes without heating up the planet

A handful of leading manufacturers of heating systems are paving the way for clean heating, showing that ditching fossil fuel boilers is not only possible but also financially desirable, write Davide Sabbadin and Mélissa Zill.

Fit and fair: The case for a European fund for targeted renovation

The European Commission's commitment to create a "climate social fund" is very welcome but its design will be crucial if it is going to have an impact on building renovation, write Louise Sunderland and Samuel Thomas.

Europe cannot simply rely on third countries for its green hydrogen

One thing COVID-19 has made clear is that Europe needs to be more self-sufficient. However, policymakers are looking to Africa and even further abroad for their renewable hydrogen, despite the potential pitfalls of such a plan, writes Luc Grare.

Lack of coal phase-out commitments in Eastern Europe jeopardises just transition

Unambitious coal phase-out policies in central and eastern Europe threaten the just transition in the region and the European Commission should only accept plans that use the just transition fund to develop and diversify local economies for a greener future, writes Alexandru Mustață.

Is anyone able to control the carbon price?

Carbon prices on the EU emissions trading scheme are currently rising too fast, making the market extremely volatile, but it seems the European Commission has no effective stabilising tool to tackle this, writes Robert Jeszke and Sebastian Lizak.

EU must sharpen its focus on innovation to address climate change

The upcoming ‘Fit for 55’ package of EU regulations will have a vital role to play to support the creation and deployment of clean energy innovation, writes Peter Sweatman.

The Brief, powered by UNESDA – It takes two to tango

Ahead of US President Joe Biden’s maiden trip to Europe in mid-June, Germany and the United States are holding talks in Washington in a bid to settle the long-running row over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The timing of...

Will the Renovation Wave leave Europe’s poorest on the shore?

Across Europe, 50 million households struggle with energy poverty stemming from low incomes, high energy bills, poor energy efficiency, as well as inadequate housing. The EU’s Renovation Wave, a ‘flagship’ of the European Green Deal, provides a unique opportunity to tackle Europe’s inadequate housing while contributing to EU climate targets, writes Anna Kompatscher.

Rugby, and the art of regulating energy in times of uncertainty

A recent decision by the Belgian energy regulator offers an unexpected analogy with the way rugby rules were rewritten to favour try scoring and greater entertainment for the fans, write Dominic Scott and Bram Claeys.

Energy Charter Treaty: time is up!

After four unsuccessful negotiation rounds, and with a fifth round starting this week that does not bring any silver linings in terms of outcome, the time has come for the EU and its member states to leave the Energy Charter Treaty, argue a group of MEPs.

We can’t burn our way out of the climate crisis

In its new Net Zero scenario, the International Energy Agency (IEA) maps a 60% increase in bioenergy by 2050. But Swapping burning wood for burning coal won’t save the climate, warns Peg Putt.

Von der Leyen’s ETS extension to buildings and transport would do more harm than good

As European leaders meet today to discuss the share of emissions reductions across Europe, they must focus on how to do this effectively and avoid the possible repercussions of expanding the emissions trading scheme, writes Marcin Korolec.

Time for Paris-compatible coal phase-out plans in Central and Eastern Europe

Central and Eastern European countries need to set national coal phase-out dates by 2030 at the latest in order to fall in line with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, environmental campaigners write.

The New European Bauhaus must transform beauty into public good

To realise its potential to help Europeans live "beautifully, sustainably, together," the Commission needs to prioritise beauty as a European public good supported by adequate investment, maximum societal participation and a comprehensive policy framework, argues Vadim Kononenko.

The EU carbon tax could create a new era of trade wars

Europe's carbon border levy to increase the cost of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU could push the Global South towards less restrictive trade deals, ultimately causing more harm to the environment, writes Muhammed Magassy.

The real faces behind PGE’s Turów coal mine

Coal mines, like the controversial Turów mine on the Polish/Czech border, are not the future. Indeed, the presence of the mine is risking the region's ability to transition away from coal and the livelihoods of the people around it, writes Milan Starec.

Solidarity for Turów? Well, close the mine

The controversial Turów coal mine in Poland has been negatively impacting the people who live around it for decades. The European Commission now needs to step in and enforce common EU rules to enable a just transition to take place, writes Mikuláš Peksa.

Natural gas bashing is trendy, but is it constructive?

Surely, natural gas, too, will have to be phased out over time, so why not skip this phase and move straight to wind and solar? The idea sounds enticing, but upon closer examination, it is counterproductive if not self-defeating, argues Olga Bielkova.

Unjust and environmentally damaging Turów mining licence prolonged until 2044

The European Commission needs to be more engaged in environmental disputes between EU countries, like the escalating tensions between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic over the disputed open-pit mine in Turów, Poland, writes Martin Hojsík.

Consumers will only renovate their homes if it’s easy and affordable

Consumers are willing and ready to play their part in the green housing transition, but they will need guidance and support along the way, writes Monique Goyens.

New EU buildings rules are crucial to deliver on climate targets

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) must recognise that buildings are a crucial energy infrastructure for Europe, writes Monica Frassoni. By being highly efficient, they can reduce energy demand but also manage, store, and generate renewable energy, she argues.